WHO DEFEATED THE HATE BILL?
By Rev. Ted Pike
11 Dec 07
There has been rejoicing among Christians/conservatives this
week - and gloom among the liberals - as a result of the spectacular
defeat of the hate crimes bill in Conference between the House and
Senate.
Yet, this victory does not reveal the strategic brilliance of conservatives.
As in previous hate bill victories, it demonstrated the power of
God to create confusion in the hate bill ranks. Victory was assisted
very largely by the totally unforeseen, divinely assisted mutiny
of a host of Democrats. They revolted not against the hate bill but
against an arms appropriations bill that provided no ultimatum for
withdrawal from Iraq .
Let's briefly review our unprecedented victory last week:
On Nov. 16 the National Prayer Network widely publicized a credible
report that 180 House Republicans and 20 Democrats threatened not
to vote for the final conference-approved version of the National
Defense Authorization Act. (See, We
Can Still Kill the Hate Bill) The hate crimes bill was attached
as a rider to it, and NPN recognized this God-given second chance
to defeat the hate bill. Through e-alerts, posted at www.truthtellers.org and
sent to new right leaders, and numerous radio interviews, I challenged
everyone to widen this rebellion against the arms-and-hate-bill package
by vigorous calling of House members. Sadly, conservative leaders
did not seize this opportunity to mobilize their followers but waited
until Dec. 4. (See, Conference
Hung Up Over Hate Bill)
At the last minute, on Dec. 4, the very day House Democratic leaders
were expected to announce whether the hate bill would be stripped
from the arms bill, Family Research Council posted a powerful internet
alert encouraging readers to demand its removal. The same day I called
Janet Folger of Faith2Action, who seemed unaware of this opportunity. Immediately,
she put me on her syndicated radio program and posted a powerful
call to protest. On 13 national radio interviews from Monday to Wednesday,
I encouraged massive phoning. On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 4,
I sent an emergency e-mail to Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily's hate crimes
writer, urging him to post an immediate article. By 1 o'clock
Thursday morning, only hours before the Democrats made the decision
to strip the hate bill, WND's article finally came out. It featured
FRC's alert and also quoted Janet Folger, "Philly 11" head
Michael Marcavage (whom I briefed Tuesday morning), and me. These
combined efforts were powerfully effective.
On Thursday, Dec. 6, House Democratic leadership announced they
were 40 votes shy of being able to pass the hate bill. The
hate bill was stripped off the arms bill and defeated; 257 House
members had joined the rebellion!
Frightening Silence
The silence from most new right leaders, however, was frighteningly
reminiscent of their inaction before hate bill passage in September.
(Watch, Second
Chance for Freedom: Defeating the Hate Bill) Focus on the
Family, Concerned Women for America , Traditional Values Coalition,
and American Family Association posted no internet calls to action
- although I had called them Tuesday morning, urgently explaining
in detail this unique opportunity for victory!
In the aftermath, it is sobering to realize how easily this opportunity
could have been missed. Most new right leaders are not showing themselves
alert dependable watchmen on the wall. Their followers should
demand that they become proactive and imaginative in their response
to this ever-mounting threat to Christianity and freedom – or
lose support.
Christ's Christmas Gift to America
As we share gifts this Christmas, let's pause and consider an amazing
fact: This second chance to defeat the hate bill was God's gift to
America -- from the One we worship at Christmas, Jesus Christ. It
was not just we who fought against the hate bill but God and the
angels. God indeed mixes religion with politics; He has a vested
interest in opposing this anti-Christ legislation because it will
outlaw the free speech necessary to proclaim salvation through His
Son.
God has again magnificently done His part. It's up to us
to make sure we do ours.
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative
watchdog organization.
Let the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith teach you how they
have saddled 45 states with hate laws capable of persecuting Christians: http://www.adl.org/99hatecrime/intro.asp.
Learn how ADL took away free speech in Canada and wants to steal
it now in the U.S. Congress. Watch Rev. Ted Pike's Hate
Laws: Making Criminals of Christians at video.google.com. Purchase
this gripping documentary to show at church. Order online at www.truthtellers.org for
$24.90, DVD or VHS, by calling 503-853-3688, or at the address below.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on this
topic. Call (503) 631-3808.
National Prayer Network, P.O. Box 828, Clackamas,
OR 97015
